- Do not pick at your skin.
- Do not wash your face in an aggressive manner with any type of overly abrasive techniques. Acne is not a piece of dirt and you cannot really scrub it away.
- Do not use alcohol or other astringents on the skin excessively; this can lead to dryness and irritation. Non-irritating oil absorbing products are a more effective way to control an oily complexion.
When the acne is moderate to severe, the following prescribed medications and treatments can be used:
- Benzoyl Peroxide – Although this is often an ingredient in over the counter products, there are prescription versions available. Unless you are allergic to this ingredient, it is useful because in addition to helping clear up your acne, it also significantly decreases the development of resistant bacteria on the skin.
- Tretinoin (Retin-A) – Derived from Vitamin A and belongs to a class of medications called retinoids. This acne medication was discovered in the late 1960’s and works by increasing new cell production and decreasing the tendency for the sloughed off cells to stick together. It is this stickiness that causes the buildup of oily sebum inside the pores and leads to the clogged pores and acne. While Retin-A can be effective, there are precautions that must be taken to get the most benefit. For example, it can increase sensitivity to the sun making it easier to develop sun burn. Also, there can be dryness, redness and peeling of the skin which can range from mild to severe depending upon how sensitive a person’s skin happens to be. Other medications in the retinoid family include Adapalene (Differin) and Tazarotene (Tazorac) which work in the same manner as tretinoin to reverse the processes that lead to the development of clogged pores
- Antibiotics – Propionibacterium Acne (or P. Acne) is the name of the bacterial organism that plays a significant role in the appearance of acne. A number of antibiotic medications help to improve acne by their effects on clearing these bacteria from the skin. Tetracycline, Doxycycline, Minocycline, Sulfamethoxazole are the most common oral antibiotics used to treat acne along with clindamycin in a topical form. The antibiotics had to be used with discretion as over the years as there has been an increased incidence of bacterial resistance. One of the common antibiotics used to treat acne was erythromycin, but it is used very little these days because of resistant organisms which make the drug pretty much ineffective.
- Isotretinoin (Accutane) – An oral retinoid is used for severe cystic acne and chronic nodular acne unresponsive to the usual medication regimens. Cystic acne is characterized by the widespread presence of larger, more pronounced and firmer nodules and cysts. This is a highly potent medication and has a number of side effects, some of the most serious related to birth defects if used during pregnancy. Screening blood work to check chemistries such as liver functions and lipid levels as well as a negative pregnancy test for females is required before the drug will be prescribed and monthly check-ups will be done while it is being taken.
- Intralesional Injections – Are used to treat cysts, acne lesions and also works to reduce acne scarring. Cortisone is injected into the active lesions to reduce inflammation and help lesions to heal quickly after treatment.
- Lasers and Light Treatment for Acne – Blue Light Acne Treatment is a light therapy that kills the acne bacteria. Dermatologists use this light treatment either by itself or along with a topical treatment. Blue light treatment for acne is known to be successful in treating acne. Side effects are minimal with this treatment.
1319 Infrared Light Therapy for acne is one of the most advanced laser treatments that are used to treat active acne and scars. It works by shrinking the oil glands and decreasing the production of oil secreted by the skin.